Specialized restraint systems for amusement rides

ABSTRACT

The patron restraint system for amusement rides includes a locking receiver with a locking assembly for engaging a restraining strap. The engagement of the restraining strap in the locking receiver can be verified by a ride operator by visual or physical inspection, or by a sensor system indicating the locked or unlocked state of the locking receiver. A latching ratchet mechanism may be provided in the receiver to restrict movement of the restraining strap until it is released by the ride operator. The sensor system includes an acoustic sensor that detects alignment of an aperture with a piezoelectric acoustic emitter and an acoustic detector.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/732,345, filed Apr. 3, 2007, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Seat belt type restraint systems have been used extensively to restrainriders in vehicles as well as amusement rides and devices. Typically,seat belt type patron restraint systems have a manual “latching” systemthat is engaged or released by the patron (rider). There are presentlyno seat belts with locking systems that do not require externalelectrical power and/or an external energy source to achieve the“locked” condition. Conventional seat belt systems do not commonly havethe ability to provide redundant “locking” systems. Conventional seatbelts do not currently have redundant “locking” systems that arefail-safe (fail-to-safe) under loss-of-power or external energy.Conventional seat belts do not commonly have a sensor or indicatormethod for validating the “latched” condition to the ride operator orattendant that do not require external electrical power and/or anexternal energy source. There are presently no seat belt or other typeof safety restraint “locking” system sensors that are commonly providingreliable operation under conditions of contamination with dirt,moisture, lubricants or other debris that do not require adjustment.

Industry standards for patron restraint systems on amusement rides anddevices range from restraint devices for kiddie rides through restraintsystems for spectacular and high acceleration rides. The industrystandards require the ride designer to perform a patron containmentanalysis to make sure the patron is contained on the ride under normaland anticipated emergency operation. Authorities Having Jurisdiction(AHJ)(Regulatory) are imposing more stringent requirements for patronrestraints. These AHJ's are requiring individual patron restraints wheremultiple patron restraints were used. The AHJ's are requiring “locking”restraints where previously “latching” patron restraints had been used.The term “latching” as used herein implies that the restraint can beunlatched at any time during a ride cycle by a patron or patrons. Theterm “locking” as used herein implies that the restraint is “locked”prior to the start of the ride cycle and can not be opened until theride cycle is completed and the patrons are ready to exit the ride. Theindustry requirements range from patron restraints that are used tocontain multiple patrons with a single restraint device and are manually“latched” and released to patron restraints that are automatically“locked” and automatically released. Depending on the accelerationsimposed on the patrons and the ride designer's containment analysis, thepatron restraints are required to be redundant, fail-safe (fail-to-safe)and, where necessary, to have a secondary “latching” or “locking” patronrestraint element. The “latching” or “locking of simpler patronrestraints can be accomplished by the ride operator or attendant bymanual and/or visual means. Rides requiring redundancy and/or secondarypatron restraints also need to be automatically “locked” and “unlocked”by the ride operator and have sensors that prevent the ride fromstarting in the event the patron restraint is not properly positionedand “locked.” Rides requiring redundancy and/or secondary patronrestraints are required, whenever possible, to cause the ride to stop inthe event a patron restraint comes open while the ride is in operation.

Industry standards also require that a restraint system on amusementrides and devices should provide a manual release of the restraintsystem that can be operated by authorized personnel in an emergencywithout special tools. This requirement places emphasis on a restraintrelease system that can be applied to individual or selected groups ofrestraints to evacuate riders from any location on a ride circuit.

One known type of patron restraint system requires power, such aselectrical power or compressed air, in order to lock the restraintsystem, and loss of power will unlock the restraint system. This type ofpatron restraint system will therefore not provide fail-safe operationfor the majority of commonly used amusement rides and devices whereelectrical power or compressed air are not available on the ride duringoperation. In addition, it has been found that patron restraint systemsthat rely upon electrical power or compressed air to maintain locking ofthe restraint system are prone to failure, since electrical power andair pressure can be lost under a number of conditions, such as failureof a pipe, pneumatic tubing, or a faulty control valve, for example.

A number of amusement rides use an over-the-shoulder restraint system.To prevent a rider from slipping out from under the shoulder restraint,ride manufacturers have added a high point at the front of the seat thatgoes between the rider's legs, and a “crotch strap” that is intended tokeep the rider from slipping out from under the shoulder restraint underdynamic forces of the ride. The crotch strap also helps to prevent theshoulder restraint from opening in the event of a failure of the lockingsystem for the shoulder restraint. However, most crotch straps are madeup of short lengths of a seat belt with a standard seat belt buckle andtongue engagement that is not lockable, and that can be released by arider. There is a long standing but unresolved need in the amusementride and device industry for a simple, high strength, low maintenancelocking restraint system that can augment or replace existing restraintsystems. The long-standing but unresolved need also includes therequirement for a restraint system that is fully adjustable and able toaccommodate all sizes of patrons from children (on suitable rides)through the 99^(th) percentile male and female with comfort and propercontainment.

It would therefore be desirable to provide a patron restraint system fora vehicle typically having a plurality of seats that meets or exceedsindustry standards and requirements established by Authority HavingJurisdiction (AHJ)(Regulatory) for patron containment and restraint onamusement rides and devices, in a system that can accommodate ridersfrom a 99^(th) percentile male down to and including a minimum height,50^(th) percentile male or female for which the ride or attraction issuitable, so as to accommodate riders with a minimum height of 36 inches(2.5 to 3 years of age). It would also be desirable to provide a patronrestraint system for a vehicle typically having a plurality of seatsthat meets requirements for single or redundant locking of the patronrestraint system. It would also be desirable to provide a specializedpatron restraint system that would provide a fully lockable belt typerestraint to improve rider containment, without requiring physicalalteration of existing seat designs in any substantial way. It wouldalso be desirable to provide a specialized patron restraint system thatprovides a ride operator a way of visually verifying that the restraintis properly engaged, for a properly seated rider. The present inventionmeets these and other needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides for apatron restraint system for a seat of a vehicle of an amusement ride.The restraint system includes a restraining strap, at least a portion ofwhich is toothed or grooved, and a locking receiver having a toothed orgrooved locking element that engages the toothed or grooved portion ofthe restraining strap. One end of the restraining strap is anchored tothe frame of the ride, and the other end of the restraining strap isfree and accessible to the rider. In one presently preferred aspect, therestraining strap may include a restraining strap pad adapted to overlya patron's lap or torso, and an additional crotch strap and one or moreshoulder straps may be connected to the restraining strap at the area ofthe restraining strap pad. Upon entering the seat, the rider lifts therestraining strap and loosely brings it across the rider's lap. Therider then inserts the free end of the restraining strap into an entryaperture in the locking receiver, and pushes the restraining strapthrough the receiver until the free end of the restraining strap exitsthe receiver through an exit aperture. The free end of the restrainingstrap is typically colored in bands so that it is visible to the rideoperator. The rider continues to push or pull the restraining strapthrough the receiver until it is comfortably tightened in place againstthe rider's lap.

Each locking receiver includes a locking assembly for locking therestraining strap, so that the restraining strap can not be withdrawnfrom the receiver unless some action to unlock the receiver is taken bythe ride operator. The position of the restraining strap in the lockingreceiver can provide a visual indication of the locked or unlocked stateof the receiver. The ride operator thus can visually or physicallyverify that each rider is properly seated and that the patron restraintsystem is in proper contact with each rider's body, and that the lockingreceivers at each seat are engaged. When the ride operator is satisfiedthat the riders are secured, the ride operator can then start the ridecycle. Alternatively, or supplemental to visual or physical checking ofthe condition of the seat restraints, one or more lock-sensors may beprovided in each receiver to detect a locked condition of the lockingreceivers, to output information to a controller as to the locked orunlocked state of the receiver. Control decisions for the ride may thusbe made by a ride operator based on visual inspection of the restrainingstrap and locking receiver, and based on information at a controllerfrom one or more sensors within the receiver that sense the state ofmechanical locking elements within the receiver. A means for unlockingthe receiver also is provided that does not require special tools orinternal or external energy sources.

A latching ratchet mechanism optionally also may be provided in thereceiver to restrict the restraining strap movement so that therestraining strap remains in place and can not be loosened or disengagedfrom the receiver until it is released by the ride operator, whether byphysically releasing the patron restraint system by pressing amechanically connected release mechanism on the ride, or by pushing aRESTRAINT OPEN button, or by turning a RELEASE OPEN switch on the ridecontrol panel, so that the restraints are then automatically releasedwhen the ride is verified to be in a Load/Unload position. During thistime the locking elements in the receiver are in an engaged position.

The present invention accordingly provides for a patron restraint systemfor use with a seat of a vehicle of an amusement ride, including aflexible restraining strap and a locking receiver for receiving therestraining strap. The restraining strap has an anchored end mounted toa frame of the seat, and a free end, and at least a portion of therestraining strap has a plurality of notches or teeth on at least oneside of the restraining strap. In a presently preferred aspect, the freeend of the restraining strap is colored to facilitate visual inspectionof proper insertion of the restraining strap in the locking receiver.The locking receiver includes a housing defining a restraining strapchannel for receiving the restraining strap, and the restraining strapchannel has an entry opening at one end of the channel, and an exitopening at the other end of the channel. The locking receiver includes alocking assembly having at least one locking element having an engagedposition for engaging the restraining strap to prevent movement of therestraining strap, and having a released position for releasing therestraining strap to permit movement of the restraining strap. In onepresently preferred aspect, the locking assembly includes first andsecond locking elements. The patron restraint system also includes meansfor moving one or more of the locking elements to the engaged positionand for moving the one or more locking elements to the releasedposition.

In a presently preferred embodiment, the housing of the locking receivercontains guide walls defining the restraining strap channel, and thelocking assembly includes a cylindrical locking wheel rotatably mountedin the housing. In another presently preferred aspect, the locking wheelhas an outer surface defining a plurality of notches or teethcorresponding to the notches or teeth of the restraining strap, forengaging the restraining strap, and the restraining strap channelextends about the locking wheel. First and second locking elements areprovided, and include a pair of locking plates slidably mounted forslidable movement between an engaged position engaging the locking wheeland a released position spaced apart from the locking wheel. In apreferred aspect, the first and second locking plates each have a firstend and a second end, the first end having a plurality of notches orteeth for engaging corresponding notches or teeth of the locking wheel,and the second end having a cam aperture, wherein the means for movingthe one or more elements includes first and second cylindrical cam pins,and the cam apertures of the locking plates are engaged by the cam pins,which can be actuated by a ride operator. The locking wheel may furtherinclude a latching ratchet mechanism to restrict the restraining strapto movement in one direction to tighten the restraining strap until itis released by a ride operator, whether by physically releasing thepatron restraint system by pressing a mechanically connected releasemechanism on the ride, or by pushing a RESTRAINT OPEN button, or byturning a RELEASE OPEN switch on the ride control panel, so that therestraints are then automatically released when the ride is verified tobe in a Load/Unload position.

In a second presently preferred embodiment, the locking assemblyincludes first and second mating sections having “S” shaped, sigmoid orsinusoidal surfaces adjacent to each other, and defining a restrainingstrap channel therebetween, with one or more of the surfaces defining aplurality of notches or teeth for engaging corresponding notches orteeth of the restraining strap. In a presently preferred aspect, atleast one of the first and second mating sections is slidably mounted inthe housing for movement toward the other of the first and secondsections to trap the restraining strap in an engaged position, and formovement away from the other of the first and second sections to releasethe restraining strap in a released position. In another aspect, aplurality of compression springs may be mounted in the housing to biasthe two sections into engagement with the other. In another presentlypreferred aspect, the means for moving one or more of the lockingelements includes a cam device provided between cam arms mounted to theexterior planar sides of the first and second mating sections, foralternately engaging and releasing the first and second mating sectionsof the locking receiver.

In another presently preferred aspect, the locking assembly may furtherinclude a sensor system to detect whether the locking assembly isengaged. In one aspect, the sensor system may utilize an acoustic sensorsystem, including an acoustic emitter for emitting acoustic energy, anacoustic detector for sensing the acoustic energy and outputting adetection signal in response to the acoustic energy, and one or morealignment elements interposed between the acoustic emitter and theacoustic detector. The one or more alignment elements include one ormore acoustic apertures, and the one or more alignment elements aremounted in the locking assembly such that when the one or more acousticapertures are moved into alignment with the acoustic emitter and theacoustic detector, the acoustic energy from the acoustic emitter isreceived by the acoustic detector.

In another presently preferred aspect, the one or more alignmentelements include a lock plate with an acoustic aperture therethrough,and the lock plate is fixed to a sliding shaft telescopically mounted insliding relationship with a guide mounted to the locking assembly. Inanother preferred aspect, the acoustic emitter is an acoustic pulseemitter, the acoustic detector is an acoustic pulse detector, and thelock plate is aligned with the acoustic pulse emitter on one side of theacoustic aperture and the acoustic pulse detector on the other side ofthe acoustic aperture when the locking assembly is in an engagedposition.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whichillustrate, by way of example, the operation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a side view of an amusement ride seat with thepatron restraint system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a front view of the amusement ride seat of FIG. 1with the patron restraint system according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a locking receiverand restraining strap of the patron restraint system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top plan cutaway view of the locking receiver of FIG. 3,showing the locking elements in an engaged position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cylindrical shaft for mounting thelocking wheel or drum of the locking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first end plate of the housing of the lockingreceiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a second end plate of the housing of thelocking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the cylindrical shaft for mountingthe locking wheel or drum of the locking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the first and second locking plates of thelocking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a top cutaway view of the locking receiver of FIG. 3, shownwith the guide walls removed for clarity, and showing the lockingelements in a released position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first and second mounting platesfor the locking elements of the locking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a mounting plate for the lockingelements of the locking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a cam pin of the locking receiverfor the locking elements of the locking receiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the locking elements of thelocking receiver of FIG. 3, showing a cam pin in a released position.

FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the locking elements of thelocking receiver of FIG. 3, showing a cam pin in an engaged position.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the ratchet mechanism of the lockingreceiver of FIG. 3.

FIG. 17A is a top plan view of a variation of the locking wheel or drumof the locking receiver of FIG. 3, with a ratchet mechanism.

FIG. 17B is a schematic diagram of the ratchet mechanism of the lockingreceiver of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C is an exploded view of the ratchet mechanism of the lockingwheel or drum of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a sectional diagram of a second embodiment of a lockingassembly for a locking receiver of a patron restraint system accordingto the invention.

FIG. 19 is another sectional diagram of the locking assembly of FIG. 18,showing guide elements and alignment sensors of the locking assembly.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a cam assembly for moving the sections ofthe locking assembly into a released position.

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an acoustic sensor system of thelocking assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a diagram of an acoustic sensor system for the lockingassembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic representation of the timed pulse codesgenerated and detected by the acoustic sensor system of the lockingassemblies of FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a diagram of a front view of the amusement ride seat of FIG.1 with a variation of the patron restraint system of the inventionincluding a restraining strap pad adapted to overly a patron's lap ortorso.

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the restraining strap and restrainingstrap pad of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of the restraining strap andrestraining strap pad of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27 is a top plan view of the restraining strap and restrainingstrap pad, including a crotch strap.

FIG. 28 is a diagram of a front view of the amusement ride seat of FIG.1 and patron restraint system with the strap, restraining strap pad andcrotch strap of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a diagram of a front view of the amusement ride seat andpatron restraint system of FIG. 1 with the strap, restraining strap padand shoulder straps.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the amusement ride seat and patron restraintsystem of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a diagram of a front view of the strap, restraining strap padand shoulder straps of FIG. 29.

FIG. 32 is a diagram of a front view of the strap, restraining strap padand shoulder straps, and including a crotch strap.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the amusement ride seat and patron restraintsystem with the strap, restraining strap pad, shoulder strap and crotchstrap of FIG. 32.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In a first presently preferred embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1 and2, the invention provides for a specialized patron restraint system 30for a seat 32 of a vehicle of an amusement ride (not shown). The patronrestraint system includes a locking receiver 34 for a flexible toothedor grooved restraining strap 36. The restraining strap has an anchoredend 38 that is mounted to a frame 40 of the seat of the vehicle, and afree end 42 that is accessible to a rider for insertion in the lockingreceiver. In one presently preferred aspect, the restraining strap ismade of heavy duty plastic, typically polyurethane with a steel wirerope or woven Kevlar rope tension member embedded into the polyurethane,for example, although other high strength, flexible, abrasion resistantplastics that resist stretching or deformation under load under allenvironments including but not limited to oil and water, may also besuitable. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the restraining strap preferablyhas a plurality of notches or grooves 44 and a plurality of teeth 46 onat least one side of the restraining strap. The free end of therestraining strap is typically colored in one or more bands 48, shown inFIG. 1, so that it can be readily identified visually by the rideoperator, as will be further explained below.

Referring to FIGS. 3-8, the locking receiver includes a housing 50containing first and second adjacent guide walls 52, 54 defining arestraining strap channel 56 therebetween, typically having the form ofa U-shaped loop for receiving the restraining strap, with an entryopening or aperture 58 at one end of the channel, and an exit opening oraperture 60 at the other end of the channel. When the restraining strapis inserted in the locking receiver, the guide walls guide therestraining strap through the channel about a cylindrical locking wheelor drum 62 rotatably mounted on a cylindrical shaft or pin 64, typicallywith washers 66, between first and second end plates 68, 70 of thehousing, shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. In one presently preferred aspect,the cylindrical shaft or pin has at least one notched end 72 with anotch or flange 74, and one of the plates (70) of the housing has arecess 75 with a corresponding shape for receiving the notched end ofthe shaft or pin to prevent the shaft or pin from rotating. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 10, the locking wheel or drum advantageously has an outercylindrical surface 76 defining a plurality of notches or grooves 78 andteeth 80 corresponding to the notches or grooves and teeth of therestraining strap, for engaging the restraining strap.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 9-12, the locking receiver also preferablyincludes a locking assembly 82 including first and second lockingelements 84, 86 mounted in the housing for engaging the locking wheel ordrum to prevent rotation of the locking wheel or drum and movement ofthe restraining strap in an engaged position, shown in FIG. 4, and forreleasing the locking wheel or drum to permit rotation of the lockingwheel or drum and movement of the restraining strap in a releasedposition, shown in FIG. 10. In a presently preferred aspect, the firstand second locking elements are first and second locking plates eachhaving a first end 88 with a surface defining a plurality of notches orgrooves 90 and teeth 92 corresponding to the notches or grooves andteeth of the restraining strap for engaging the restraining strap, and asecond end 94 having a cam aperture 96. The first and second lockingplates are slidably mounted in first and second slots 98, 100 of firstand second mounting plates 102, 104 for slidable movement between anengaged position shown in FIG. 4 and a released position shown in FIG.10. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first and second mounting plates aremounted in slots 106 between the first and second end plates of thehousing. First and second cylindrical cam pins 108, 110, shown in FIGS.13 and 14, are rotatably received in apertures 112, shown in FIGS. 6 and7, in the first and second end plates, extending through first andsecond generally tubular sliding spacers 114 disposed between the firstand second locking plates and the first and second end plates of thehousing, respectively. Each cylindrical cam pin has a longitudinal axis116 and includes a first end 118 with a cylindrical distal tip 120 thatis offset radially outwardly from the longitudinal axis, and that isreceived in the cam aperture of a locking plate. The other end 122 ofeach of the cam pins typically has a geometric configuration, such as asquared or hexagonal end, for example, for engaging a lever or othermeans (not shown) for rotating the cam pin between an engaged positionshown in FIG. 15 and a released position shown in FIG. 3, so that thecam pin can be operated manually by the ride operator or remotely froman operator control console, for moving the locking plates between theengaged and released positions.

In a first presently preferred variation of the first embodimentillustrated in FIG. 16, the invention provides for a locking receiver130 enclosed in a housing 132 made up of a top plate 134, a bottom plate136, and two rectangular end blocks 138, 140, which provide a constraintfor the slidable, non-rotating, locking ratchet mechanism 142. The tworectangular end blocks are attached to the top plate and the bottomplate. The two rectangular end blocks act as a support for the axialshaft 144 that extends through the cylindrical locking wheel 146rotatably mounted inside the housing. The cylindrical locking wheel hasgrooves or teeth 148 that are configured to engage the mating grooves orteeth of the flexible passenger restraint strap 36, as described above.One or both sides 152 of the cylindrical locking wheel have the matingsection 154 of the locking ratchet mechanism mounted to it. This isnecessary so it can be used as a single or redundant locking receiver toaccommodate all levels of passenger restraint requirements. Axialcompression springs 156 are used to move the fixed locking ratchetmechanism into position to engage the fixed and rotatably mountedlocking ratchet mechanism. When the fixed and rotatable members of thelocking ratchet system are engaged, the cylindrical locking wheel canrotate in one direction to allow for securing and tightening theflexible passenger restraint means. Unlocking of the receiver isaccomplished by the use of cam actuated levers 158, 160 mounted to oneor both sides of the housing operated by rotation of a cam 162 by a rideoperator, whether by physically releasing the patron restraint system bypressing a mechanically connected release mechanism on the ride, or bypushing a RESTRAINT OPEN button, or by turning a RELEASE OPEN switch onthe ride control panel, so that the restraints are then automaticallyreleased when the ride is verified to be in a Load/Unload position;although other methods for opening the levers could be used, such as anauto-open air bladder or double acting pneumatic cylinder or solenoid,for example. These cam actuated levers disengage the fixed lockingratchet element from contact with the rotatable locking ratchet elementthat is mounted to the toothed or grooved cylindrical locking wheel,thus allowing the flexible passenger restraint to be withdrawn from thereceiver. An indicator flag (not shown) would be visible to the rideoperator through a port or opening in the housing to visually indicatethat the locking ratchet system is in the locked position. A single orredundant sensor system as described hereinbelow may also be applied tothis type of locking receiver. In the event of an emergency the receivercan be unlocked manually by the ride operator or emergency personnel bypressing a release lever that is positioned out of the reach envelope ofthe passengers.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17C, in a second variation of the firstembodiment, a latching unidirectional ratchet mechanism 180 mayadditionally be provided in the locking wheel or drum 146 of a lockingreceiver 130′ to further restrict the restraining strap to movement inone direction to tighten the restraining strap and prevent movement ofthe restraining strap in the opposite direction to loosen therestraining strap, so that the restraining strap remains in place andcan not be loosened or disengaged from the receiver until it is releasedby the ride operator, whether by physically releasing the patronrestraint system by pressing a mechanically connected release mechanismon the ride, or by pushing a RESTRAINT OPEN button, or by turning aRELEASE OPEN switch on the ride control panel, so that the restraintsare then automatically released when the ride is verified to be in aLoad/Unload position. For example, one or both of the planar sides 182of the locking wheel or drum may be provided with a plurality of ratchetteeth 184, and a circular plate or disk 186 having a correspondingplurality of ratchet teeth 188 adapted to mate with the ratchet teeth ofthe locking wheel or drum may be rotatably mounted on the cylindricalshaft of the locking wheel or drum over the ratchet teeth of one or bothof the planar sides of the locking wheel or drum. Each circular platecan be mounted for reciprocal movement into and out of engagement withthe ratchet teeth of the locking wheel or drum under control of the rideoperator. Thus, while the a rider is inserting the restraining strap inthe locking receiver, and when the locking elements of the lockingreceiver are engaged, the ratchet mechanism can be engaged by the rideoperator, and when the ride cycle is complete, the ratchet mechanism canbe released by the ride operator along with the locking elements toallow the rider to exit the ride, whether by physically releasing thepatron restraint system by pressing a mechanically connected releasemechanism on the ride, or by pushing a RESTRAINT OPEN button, or byturning a RELEASE OPEN switch on the ride control panel, so that therestraints are then automatically released when the ride is verified tobe in a Load/Unload position.

In a second presently preferred embodiment, the invention provides for apatron restraint system for a seat of a vehicle of an amusement ride(not shown), and the patron restraint system includes a flexible toothedor grooved restraining strap 36, as described above. The free end of therestraining strap can be inserted into a locking receiver such as isdescribed above, but having a housing containing a locking assembly 200,shown in FIG. 18, formed of first and second mating sections 202, 204,each having an “S” shaped, sigmoid or sinusoidal shaped restrainingstrap engaging surface 206, 208, and defining an “S” shaped, sigmoid orsinusoidal shaped slot or channel 210 therebetween. At least one of therestraining strap engaging surfaces defines a plurality of notches orgrooves 212 and teeth 214 corresponding to the plurality of notches orgrooves and teeth of the restraining strap, for engaging the restrainingstrap. At least one of the two mating sections of the locking assemblyis slidably mounted in a housing of the locking receiver for movementtoward the other of the two mating sections to trap a restraining strapinserted into the slot or channel between them, and to exert pressure onthe restraining strap to prevent disengagement of the restraining strap,and for movement away from the other of the two sections to release therestraining strap.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, in a presently preferred aspect,compression springs 216 may be mounted in the housing to bias at leastone of the two sections into engagement with the other. In a presentlypreferred aspect, each of the two mating sections is slidably mounted inthe housing for movement toward and away from the other, with each ofthe two mating sections including two slot guides 218 and correspondingguide pins 220 operatively arranged in sliding relation for guiding thesliding movement of the two mating sections with toward and away fromeach other, with Elgiloy compression springs mounted in the housingadjacent to each of the two sections to bias the two sections intoengagement. A cam device 222 under control of the operator may beprovided on the exterior planar sides of the two mating sections betweencam arms 224 mounted to the exterior planar sides 226 of the two matingsections for alternately engaging and releasing the two mating sectionsof the locking assembly. Whereas a restraining strap placed over anouter portion of a locking wheel or drum may typically engage less thanhalf of the circumference of the locking wheel or drum, by engaging therestraining strap with such a locking assembly having mating sectionswith “S” shaped, sigmoid or sinusoidal shaped restraining strap engagingsurfaces as is described above, the restraining strap can be engagedover a distance that is greater than or equal to half of the exteriorcircumference of a comparable locking wheel or drum to reduce thepossibility of unanticipated disengagement.

The locking receiver may also be provided with a redundant sensor system230 to detect whether the restraining strap is properly engaged. Sensors232 may be placed in the slot guides 218 at appropriate locationsadjacent to the guide pins 220 for detecting engaged and releasedpositions of the guide pins, as well as non-optimal alignment of theguide pins. The sensors preferably should be should be veryfault-tolerant, and should be unaffected by dust, dirt and moisture. Asensor also may be provided in the receiver to detect insertion of therestraining strap in the receiver.

Referring to FIGS. 21-23, in a presently preferred aspect, the sensorsystem may be an acoustic sensor system 240 that detects a properalignment of a plurality of apertures or windows 242 provided in aplurality of slidably or rotatably mounted plates 244, such that whenthe apertures or windows are moved into alignment, energy from apiezoelectric acoustic emitter 246 is permitted to reach an acousticdetector 248 such as a piezoelectric sensor, for example. If any oneaperture or window is not in alignment, the sonic energy andconsequently a correct output signal from the detector will be blocked,and correct positioning of the guide pins will not be detected.

The configuration of the sensors is typically such that a “low” outputindicates a “not-engaged” or “not-present” condition. This configurationis fail-safe in that if a sensor becomes defective it reports a“not-engaged” or “not-present” response to the controlling device. Theride is shown to be in a “READY” state when indicators report that thelocking receivers of all seats are locked, and optionally also that therestraining straps are all inserted in the locking receivers. The rideoperator can observe that the locking receivers at each seat are engagedby observing the “READY” indication on an operator control console(OCC). When the ride operator observes the “READY” indicator on the OCC,the ride operator can then start the ride cycle by pressing the “RIDESTART” button on the OCC. At the end of the ride cycle the ride operatormanually or automatically releases the locking elements in the lockingreceivers so that the restraining straps can be extracted from thereceivers, and the riders can then exit the ride.

By using a plurality of time-delayed pulses of sonic energy, such asthree time-delayed pulses, for example, and a decoder with a thresholddetector in the acoustic detector, random or non-synchronized noise canbe filtered out, and will not cause triggering of an output of analignment signal. This system is immune to high levels of noise due tothresholding a uniquely timed pulse triplet. In the sensor system forthe safety restraint, the required pulse group could be generated usinga piezoelectric emitter driven by a pulse-code generator 250. Thereceiver can be implemented by a piezoelectric sensor 252 that generatesa voltage output proportional to the acoustic input. A decoder 254receiving the output from the piezoelectric sensor can be set tosequentially separate the three unique time coded pulses P₁, P₂, P₃,with intervals of time T₁, T₂ between them, from random noise. Byproperly selecting the acoustic pulses in a shape resembling a solitonwave and designing the acoustic transmission apertures or windows to actas a channel for the soliton wave, the effects of dust, dirt, moistureand lubricant contamination, which might otherwise reduce signal levelat the detector can significantly reduced.

Referring to FIG. 22, a lock plate 260 with an aperture or window 262therethrough may be fixed to a sliding guide with a shaft 264telescopically mounted in sliding relationship with a fixed plate orguide 266, aligned with an acoustic pulse emitter on one side of theaperture and an acoustic pulse detector aligned on the other side of theaperture when the locking wheel or drum is in an engaged or lockedposition, so that acoustic pulses will be conducted from the acousticpulse emitter to the acoustic pulse detector only when the lockingelements of the locking receiver are in a locked position. This systemallows for redundant sensors for each of the guides to sense a locked orengaged condition and an unlocked or released condition of the lockingreceiver.

In another presently preferred aspect, as is illustrated in FIGS. 24-33,the restraining strap of the patron restraint system of the inventionmay include a restraining strap pad 270 molded or mounted onto therestraining strap at a location on the restraining strap such that therestraining strap pad is adapted to overly a patron's lap or torso whena patron is seated on the amusement ride seat with the restraining strapin place in the patron restraint system. As is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26,the restraining strap pad may include internal stiffening orreinforcement members 272 a, 272 b, 272 c for shaping or stabilizing thestructure of the restraining strap pad as may be required to suitablyfit over a patron's lap or torso.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, the patron restraint system of theinvention may also include a crotch strap 274 having a free end 276adapted to be received in a locking receiver, and an opposing end 278connected to the restraining strap 36 by a mechanical interface 280,such as within the restraining strap pad adapted to overly a patron'slap or torso.

Referring to FIGS. 29-31, the patron restraint system of the inventionmay also include one or a pair of left and right shoulder straps 280 a,280 b, having ends 282 a, 282 b connected to the restraining strap 36and opposing ends 283 a, 283 b connected to an anchor 284 mounted to aportion of the seat or vehicle. The shoulder straps may be connected tothe restraining strap 36 by a mechanical interface 288, such as withinthe restraining strap pad adapted to overly a patron's lap or torso.Referring to FIGS. 31 and 32, the shoulder straps may also includeshoulder pads 286 a, 286 b molded or mounted onto the shoulder straps ata location on the shoulder straps such that the shoulder pads areadapted to overly a patron's shoulder when a patron is seated on theamusement ride seat with the restraining strap and shoulder straps inplace in the patron restraint system. As is illustrated in FIGS. 32 and33, the patron restraint system may include the crotch strap and one orboth shoulder straps connected to the restraining strap, such as withinthe restraining strap pad adapted to overly the patron's lap or torso bythe mechanical interface 288, and such that the crotch strap is adaptedto be received in another locking receiver 290, as shown in FIG. 33.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that while particular forms ofthe invention have been illustrated and described, various modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, it should be readily apparent that while theforegoing description has referred to one cylindrical locking wheel ordrum rotatably mounted on a cylindrical shaft, two or more coaxialcylindrical locking wheels or drums or sections may be rotatably mountedon the same shaft, with each of the locking wheels or drums or sectionshaving its own locking means. Accordingly, it is not intended that theinvention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

1. An acoustic sensor system for use in a patron restraint system havinga locking assembly, comprising: an acoustic emitter for emittingacoustic energy; an acoustic detector for sensing said acoustic energyand outputting a detection signal in response to said acoustic energy;and at least one alignment element interposed between said acousticemitter and said acoustic detector, said at least one alignment elementincluding at least one acoustic aperture, said at least one alignmentelement mounted in said locking assembly such that when said at leastone acoustic aperture is moved into alignment with said acoustic emitterand said acoustic detector, said acoustic energy from said acousticemitter is received by said acoustic detector.
 2. The sensor system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one alignment element comprises aplurality of alignment plates.
 3. The sensor system of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one alignment element comprises a lock plate with anacoustic aperture therethrough, said lock plate is fixed to a slidingshaft telescopically mounted in sliding relationship with a guidemounted to said locking assembly.
 4. The sensor system of claim 3,wherein said acoustic emitter is an acoustic pulse emitter, saidacoustic detector is an acoustic pulse detector, and said lock plate isaligned with said acoustic pulse emitter on one side of said acousticaperture and said acoustic pulse detector on the other side of theacoustic aperture when the locking assembly is in an engaged position.